Mayor Bowser awards Briya grant to provide students with immigration legal services
Briya Public Charter School was honored to be named a recipient of an Immigrant Justice Legal Services Grant by Mayor Muriel Bowser on March 21.
The grant will enable Briya to provide its student families with free legal consultations and representation through a deepened partnership with Julia M. Toro Law Firm, an immigration law firm founded by attorney Julia Toro. The funds will also provide services for parents of students at Bancroft Elementary, a longtime partner of Briya.
Services funded by the grant will include on-site presentations at Know Your Rights Fairs; individual consultations; and pro bono court representation related to applications for U Visas, T Visas, green cards, asylum, citizenship, and more.
“This grant addresses many of the barriers families face when seeking legal information and services, like cost and location,” said Raquel Farah, Briya Student Services Coordinator. “We’ll be able to provide free services for people within their communities, in locations they are already comfortable with.”
“We’re thrilled to have this grant so that more families can live more peacefully and tranquilly while they pursue their education,” Toro said.
Briya is one of ten organizations serving the immigrant community in DC who were awarded IJLS grants by Mayor Bowser.
“The Immigrant Justice Legal Services grant program is one way that my administration can help support DC’s immigrant community,” the mayor said. “The District is safer and stronger when residents know and understand their rights, and these ten organizations will help spread the message that our city has their back.”
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About Briya PCS: Families enroll in Briya’s two-generation program together: parents study English, digital literacy, and parenting while their children receive a high-quality early education. Briya also offers a high school diploma and training for Medical Assistant and Child Development Associate credentials. The school believes, and research validates, that educating parents and children together promotes strong families and success in school and in life.